The year that changed César Tárrega's life

In September 2023, César Tárrega took part in the Puma Welcome Academy - the VCF Academy's welcome party for the season of 8-a-side football - on behalf of VCF Mestalla. At the time, he expressed his willingness to work hard to play for the first team.

This Thursday, just one year later, César Tárrega returned to meet the 225 boys and girls of the VCF Academy's 8-a-side programme as a first-team player having been a starter in the last few games.

 "I'm living a beautiful dream. Much more than I thought,’ said the centre-back from Aldaya to the youngsters, recalling how his life has changed in the last 12 months, during which his work at VCF Mestalla and his loan spell at Real Valladolid have earned him a place in the first team, with whom he has already made five starts this season, the last two of which he has kept five clean sheets.  

"I'm really enjoying every day and being part of the Valencia CF first team,’ he told the youngest players, who see in César Tárrega a mirror and an example to follow.

‘"I have always been a kid who has given his all in every training session. And that's how I've earned things and that's the key to being able to achieve my goals,’ he concludes.

César is player number 102 on the mural ‘From Paterna to Mestalla’, the panel that every day all the children of 8-a-side football see when they go to training and which lists all the players who, having played at least for VCF Mestalla, have reached the first team since the inauguration of the Ciutat Esportiva de Paterna in 1992.

Those boys and girls who dream of one day emulating César Tárrega, who yesterday along with Luis Rioja, Marta Carro, Ainhoga Alguacil, Martín Tejón, David Otorbi, Emma Tovar and Diana Herrero took part in a Puma Welcome Academy full of future for Valencia CF and VCF Femenino.